… which means most people would think of submitting a lost dog that they’ve found to these organizations.

Pull out your phone book (or google it) and call these places.

On top of that, most of them are nice enough to let up leave a description, fax them, or drop a “Lost Dog” flyer in their office for a period of time.

7. Focus on dog people

This may sound obvious, but like i said, logic won’t be with you all the time when you’re looking for your pet in an emotional state.

The first day, I was out at least 12 hours on foot, and have had at least 15 or so people coming up to me to ask either what I’m doing or how they can help.

They were ALL dog owners, dog owners at some point in their life, or have had experience losing a dog.

This makes sense.. if you have had a dog and have experienced the unconditional love it gives you, you are more likely to be in tuned to seeing lost dogs wandering around. (i.e. approaching them as opposed to ignoring them or calling the animal control/cops on them).

Makes total sense. If you’re a pizza shop owner, would you put advertising in front of pizza lovers or lactose intolerant people?

You get my point. (Unless of course, you sell pizza AND anti-diarrhea drugs. Double profit! KACHIIING!!!)

So if you see someone walking a dog, make sure to ask them FIRST!

8. Flyers/Posters get taken down.

This is something that really ticks me off.

You put all that time time, effort, AND money making flyers to find your dog… you don’t have anything to sell.. you don’t have anything to promote.. you don’t have an agenda.. YET the government employees will come and rip your signs down.

Why?

“They’re not permitted”.

Or

“We’re trying to keep the streets clean”.

I don’t wanna sound bitter, but hell, if these people lose their dogs and get their signs taken down, let’s just say I might have a tendency to give them a small and subtle… “HA! IN YOUR FACE!”

Ok that was crass. I apologize.

What’s the point?

Put your flyer/poster on BUSY streets (such as downtown area) so they can be SEEN, but don’t expect them to stay there too long.

You have to frequently post in those areas.

9. Losing a loved one (even if it may be just a dog) gives you perspective on life.

I have lived in my neighborhood for a while now, and i have NOT noticed how beautiful my neighborhood is.

The plush trees… the beautiful front yards… the sounds of children playing.. the smell of burning wood.. the spectacular houses that people call their homes..

I have never been the one to appreciate things like that, but losing my dog forced me to (literally) slow down and even walk around the neighborhood.

Instead of living in my head, always worrying about what I need to do and where I need to go and who I need to speak to, I just… let the environment become part of me for the time.

And one thing I noticed, people are genuinely nice, and they actually give a damn.

We live in a modern society where we tend to think no one gives a damn about us.